Novel sleeping bag

ABSTRACT

A multi-use sleeping bag is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, the sleeping bag includes a bottom bag portion of reduced insulation relative to the other portions of the bag. In another aspect of the invention, the sleeping bag includes an intermediate layer disposed within the bag such as to create two sleep chambers, one above the intermediate layer and one below the intermediate layer. In another aspect of the invention, the sleeping bag includes an intermediate layer disposed within the bag, the intermediate layer including a hood portion with a face opening and the bag including a hood portion with multiple face openings, and the intermediate layer and the bag each including one or more baffles that are selectively positionable to cover the face openings.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63/050,784, filed on Jul. 11, 2020.

BACKGROUND

This invention pertains generally to technology for improvingfunctionality of sleeping bags. More specifically, the invention isdirected to a multi-climate, multi-purpose, sleeping bag.

In general, a sleeping bag is an insulated structure medially foldedupon itself to form a sleeping chamber having a closed lower foot endand an open upper head end. A sleeping bag may include a hood at theupper end. In use, the user enters the sleeping chamber and is therebysubstantially encompassed by the insulated material forming the bag.This serves to keep the user warm while sleeping.

Different materials or amounts of insulation are required for differentambient temperatures. More, or more effective, insulation is requiredfor colder ambient temperatures. Less is required for warmertemperatures. As a result, users (such as campers) may be required toown more than one sleeping bag to serve multiple needs. The expenserequired for multiple bags may decrease participation in campingactivities. For example, youth participation in scouting groups thatcamp in multiple climates can be decreased because of the sleeping-bagexpense.

The inconvenience of climate-specific sleeping bags is exacerbated whena single use (such as a multi-day hiking trip) involves sleeping indifferent climates. For example, hiking through mountains often involvescampsites at different elevations, each with its own climate.Higher-elevation campsites typically have a lower ambient temperaturethan lower-elevation campsites. This temperature difference can be tensof degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, the user typically has the choice of usinga single bag that is either too warm for the higher-temperature sites ortoo cold for the lower-temperature sites, carrying two (or more) bags,or carrying a so-called convertible sleeping bag with multiple toppanels. The first option leads to discomfort at the off-temperaturesites. The second option increases the weight and volume the user'spack, or requires the user to carry fewer other items (such as food).The third option adds the inconvenience of having to modify the bag atdifferent campsites to prepare it for use.

Some climates are so cold that the user's head must also be encompassedby the bag. For such use, a sleeping bag may include an integral hoodsuch as in a mummy bag. The bags are designed for the user to sleepsupine, with the user's head substantially encompassed by the integralhood but leaving his or her face somewhat open. This design isinconvenient and uncomfortable for users that prefer to sleep in otherpositions. They must either forgo the insulating benefits of the hood orsleep in an other-than-preferred position.

Accordingly, there is a need for technology to improve the function ofsleeping bags to enable more efficient use of a single bag.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to technology to enable a sleeping bagto efficiently serve a broader function than do prior-art bags.

In one aspect of the invention, an intermediate layer is disposed withinthe chamber of a sleeping bag such as to create two sleep chambers. Thefirst sleep chamber is defined by the space between the intermediatelayer and the bottom of the bag. (The “bottom” of the bag is thatportion of the bag that is oriented downward when in typical use.) Thefirst sleep chamber thus has two layers of insulation above the user.The first layer defined by the intermediate layer, the second layerdefined by the bag material itself (the outer layer). The second sleepchamber is defined by the space between the intermediate layer and thetop of the bag. (The “top” of the bag is that portion of the bag that isoriented upward when in typical use.) The second sleep chamber thus hasonly one layer of insulation above the user, namely, the bag material.The first sleep chamber is appropriate for lower-temperature locations(e.g., high-altitude campsites). The second sleep chamber is appropriatefor higher-temperature locations (e.g., low-altitude campsites). Thus,the bag is suitable for convenient use in multiple climates.

In another aspect of the invention, a portion of the bottom of asleeping bag includes less insulation than other portions of the bag.This reduces the weight and the volume of the bag. And the overallinsulating efficacy of the bag (and thus the temperature rating) isminimally impacted since insulation at the bottom of the bag iscompressed during use and is therefore of less import than insulation atother portions of the bag. Thus, the bag achieves a higher insulatingeffect per unit volume and a higher insulating effect per unit weightthan does a standard bag that has a substantially uniform amount ofinsulation at the top and bottom of the bag.

In another aspect of the invention, an intermediate layer is disposedwithin the chamber of a sleeping bag such as to create a multi-positionhood. The bag includes a hood portion with multiple face openings (e.g.,one on the top portion of the bag, and one on each side of the bag) andone or more selectively positionable baffles that can selectively coverone or more of the multiple face openings and thereby limit egress ofwarm air from the bag, or ingress of cold air into the bag, through thecovered face opening. The baffles may be implemented in a variety ofways. For example, as a flap portion that folds or flaps over theopening, or panel portions that overlap to cover the opening. Theintermediate layer includes a hood portion complementary to the bag hoodportion in that the intermediate-layer hood portion includes a faceopening and one or more baffles that may be used to cover theintermediate-layer-hood-portion face opening and a bag-hood-portion faceopening. The bag hood portion and the intermediate-layer hood portioncooperate to form a user-configurable hood that the user may configurefor his or her particular sleep preference (e.g., a side sleeper may usethe baffles to cover all face openings except one on the side portion ofthe bag). Thus, the bag enables effective hood insulation for the userwhile allowing the user to sleep as he or she chooses.

In another aspect of the invention, one or more baffles are integratedinto the outer layer of a sleeping bag to form a multi-position hood.The bag includes a head opening at the head end of the bag. The outerlayer of the bag includes a baffle portion that extends down from thehead end of the bag to cover the head opening and overlap with the outerlayer that is toward the foot end of the bag from the head opening (theoverlapped portion), thus forming a hood for the user. The baffleportion may be secured to the overlapped portion of the bag to keep thehood in place and may be shaped to provide two or more areas of overlapwhere the user can selectively separate the baffle portion fromoverlapped portion to provide a face opening. The baffle portion and theoverlapped portion cooperate to form a user-configurable hood that theuser may configure for his or her particular sleep preference (e.g., aside sleeper may use the baffle portion to cover the entire head openingexcept for once section on the side portion of the bag to provide a faceopening). Thus, the bag enables effective hood insulation for the userwhile allowing the user to sleep as he or she chooses.

In another aspect of the invention, multiple straps are disposed on theoutside surface of the bottom of a sleeping bag. The straps areconfigured to define a loop to accept a sleeping pad and thereby securethe sleeping pad to the outside surface of the bottom of the bag.Advantageously, the straps are disposed such that they are neitherparallel to nor perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bag (thehead-to-foot direction). In one embodiment, two straps may form aroughly “X” shaped on the bottom of the bag.

In another aspect of the invention, a baffled opening is positioned in asleeping bag toward the foot portion of the bag. This enables the userto selectively regulate temperature by positioning a foot or leg throughthe opening and outside of the bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIGS. 1A-1G are various views illustrating an exemplary sleeping bagaccording to an aspect of the invention.

FIGS. 2A-2C are various views illustrating another exemplary sleepingbag with a selectively configurable hood according to an aspect of theinvention.

FIGS. 3A-3B are various views illustrating another exemplary sleepingbag with straps to secure the bag to a sleeping pad according to anaspect of the invention.

FIGS. 4A-4B are various views illustrating another exemplary sleepingbag with baffles integral to the bag to form a selectively configurablehood according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 5 depicts another exemplary sleeping bag with straps to secure thebag to a sleeping pad according to an aspect of the invention.

FIGS. 6A-6B are various views illustrating another exemplary sleepingbag with a baffled leg opening according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating another exemplary sleeping bag with abaffled leg opening according to an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating another exemplary sleeping bag withbaffled leg openings in the bag's outer layer and in a liner accordingto an aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the summary above, and in the description below, reference is made toparticular features of the invention in the context of exemplaryembodiments of the invention. The features are described in the contextof the exemplary embodiments to facilitate understanding. But theinvention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. And the featuresare not limited to the embodiments by which they are described. Theinvention provides a number of inventive features which can be combinedin many ways, and the invention can be embodied in a wide variety ofcontexts. Unless expressly set forth as an essential feature of theinvention, a feature of a particular embodiment should not be read intothe claims unless expressly recited in a claim.

Except as explicitly defined otherwise, the words and phrases usedherein, including terms used in the claims, carry the same meaning theycarry to one of ordinary skill in the art as ordinarily used in the art.

Because one of ordinary skill in the art may best understand thestructure of the invention by the function of various structuralfeatures of the invention, certain structural features may be explainedor claimed with reference to the function of a feature. Unless used inthe context of describing or claiming a particular inventive function(e.g., a process), reference to the function of a structural featurerefers to the capability of the structural feature, not to an instanceof use of the invention.

Except for claims that include language introducing a function with“means for” or “step for,” the claims are not recited in so-calledmeans-plus-function or step-plus-function format governed by 35 U.S.C. §112(f). Claims that include the “means for [function]” language but alsorecite the structure for performing the function are notmeans-plus-function claims governed by § 112(f). Claims that include the“step for [function]” language but also recite an act for performing thefunction are not step-plus-function claims governed by § 112(f).

Except as otherwise stated herein or as is otherwise clear from context,the inventive methods comprising or consisting of more than one step maybe carried out without concern for the order of the steps.

The terms “comprising,” “comprises,” “including,” “includes,” “having,”“haves,” and their grammatical equivalents are used herein to mean thatother components or steps are optionally present. For example, anarticle comprising A, B, and C includes an article having only A, B, andC as well as articles having A, B, C, and other components. And a methodcomprising the steps A, B, and C includes methods having only the stepsA, B, and C as well as methods having the steps A, B, C, and othersteps.

Terms of degree, such as “substantially,” “about,” and “roughly” areused herein to denote features that satisfy their technological purposeequivalently to a feature that is “exact.” For example, a component A is“substantially” perpendicular to a second component B if A and B are atan angle such as to equivalently satisfy the technological purpose of Abeing perpendicular to B.

Except as otherwise stated herein, or as is otherwise clear fromcontext, the term “or” is used herein in its inclusive sense. Forexample, “A or B” means “A or B, or both A and B.”

An exemplary sleeping bag 100 according to an aspect of the invention isillustrated in FIGS. 1A-1F. The bag 100 includes a face opening 112 onthe top portion of the bag and a zone 110 of reduced insulation(relative to other portions of the bag) on the bottom portion of thebag. As with a conventional bag the bag 100 includes a surface-definingand insulating layer 102 and a fabric fastener 106 (e.g., a zipper, aVelcro™ strip, lacing, buttons, snaps, hooks). An intermediate layer 104is disposed within the bag 100 and secured to the inside surface of thesurface-defining and insulating layer 102 through fabric fasteners 108(e.g., a zipper, a Velcro™ strip, lacing, buttons, snaps, hooks). Thefasteners 108 are periodically positioned along the length(head-to-foot) of the bag and intermediate layer 104.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1C-1D, the bag-disposed intermediate layer 104may be selectively positioned in the bag 100 to create a first sleepchamber with two insulating layers on top: the surface-defining andinsulating layer 102 and the intermediate layer 104. In thisfirst-chamber configuration, the user simply enters the bag under theintermediate layer 104. As illustrated in FIGS. 1E-1F, the bag-disposedintermediate layer 104 may be positioned in the bag 100 to create asecond sleep chamber with one insulating layer on top: thesurface-defining and insulating layer 102. In this second-chamberconfiguration, the user simply enters the bag above the intermediatelayer 104. Thus, the user may select the first-chamber configuration formore insulation (in relatively colder climates) and may select thesecond-chamber configuration for less insulation (in relatively warmerclimates). And the selection is little more than choosing where to placeone's feet when entering the bag.

While the bag 100 is illustrated with a single intermediate layer 104,it is possible to include additional intermediate layers to defineadditional sleep chambers. For example, an additional intermediate layermay be disposed in the bag 100 such that a first chamber includes threeinsulating layers above the user (bag layer 102, the first intermediatelayer 104, and the additional intermediate layer), a second chamberincludes two insulating layers above the user (bag layer 102 andintermediate layer 104), and a third chamber includes a singleinsulating layer above the user (bag layer 102). FIG. 1C illustrates anintermediate layer 104 having fasteners 109 to engage anotherintermediate layer. FIG. 1G illustrates that the intermediate layer 104may be reversible. Thus, multiple intermediate layers may be configuredsuch that all are oriented the same way or some may be reversed.

The region 110 of reduced insulation has less insulation than insulatinglayer 102. This lowers the overall volume and weight of the bag 100compared to a bag with a uniform layer of insulation. When combined withthe intermediate layer 104, this enables a multi-climate bag withoutsignificant (or any) increase in weight or volume over a standard bag ofsimilar temperature rating.

Another exemplary sleeping bag 200 according to an aspect of theinvention is illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C. The bag 200 includes a faceopening 212 on the top portion of the bag. The bag 200 also includes twoface openings 224 a, 224 b on the sides of the bag 200 and two baffles222 a, 222 b, each configured to selectively cover one of the side faceopenings 224 a, 224 b. An intermediate layer 204 is disposed within thebag 200 and secured to the inside surface of the surface-defining andinsulating layer 202 through fasteners, in the manner described withreference to FIGS. 1A-1F. The intermediate layer 204 includes a hoodportion comprising a face opening 204 c and a baffle 204 a configured toselectively cover the face opening 204 c (as illustrated, the bag 200may also include a second baffle 204 b that is configured to selectivelycover the face opening 204 c). The face opening 204 c is located on theintermediate layer 204 such that it is oriented to the top face opening212. In use, the user can choose to orient his or her face to any of theface openings and to use the appropriate baffle(s) to cover the unusedface openings. For example, a back sleeper may choose the top faceopening 204 c/212 (for a back sleeper) and cover the side face openings224 a, 224 b with the side baffles 222 a, 222 b. A right-side sleepermay choose the right-side face opening 224 a, and cover the other faceopenings 204 c/212, 224 b with the respective baffle(s) 204 a, 222 b.This enables the user to benefit from hood insulation without the needto sleep on his or her back.

The baffles in the embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2C are implemented as flapsattached to the bag (outer) layer or the intermediate layer.Equivalently, the baffles may be implemented as overlapping portions ofthe panel defining the opening. For example, the intermediate-layermaterial immediately adjacent to and defining intermediate-layer faceopening may selectively overlap, and, when overlapped, cover the faceopening to limit ingress and egress of air.

Another exemplary sleeping bag 300 according to an aspect of theinvention is illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B. As with a conventional bag thebag 300 includes a surface-defining and insulating layer 302 and afabric fastener 306 (e.g., a zipper, a Velcro™ strip, lacing, buttons,snaps, hooks). An intermediate layer 304 is disposed within the bag 300and secured to the inside surface of the surface-defining and insulatinglayer 302 through fabric fasteners 308 (e.g., a zipper, a Velcro™ strip,lacing, buttons, snaps, hooks). The fasteners 308 are periodicallypositioned along the length (head-to-foot) of the bag and intermediatelayer 304. The bag 300 also includes one or more sleeping-pad-retentionstraps 330 attached to the outer surface of the bottom portion of thebag 300. The sleeping-pad-retention straps 330 are configured to looparound a sleeping pad 332 and thereby secure the sleeping pad 332 inposition relative to the bag 300. This limits movement of the sleepingpad 332 while in use so as to keep it in position under the user whilethe user sleeps. The sleeping-pad-retention straps 330 may be fit to aparticular size sleeping pad or they may be elastic or adjustable toaccommodate a range of sizes. For example, the straps may comprise hooksand loops with a variety of positions, or they may comprise Velcro™strips, or they may comprise strips of snaps or buttons, or the like.

As depicted in FIG. 5, a sleeping bag 500 may includesleeping-pad-retention straps 530 that are oriented at an angle otherthan 0 or 90 degrees to the longitudinal (head-to-foot) axis of the bag500. This may limit movement of the sleeping pad relative to the bag 500during use.

Another exemplary sleeping bag 400 according to an aspect of theinvention is illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B. In this embodiment, the bag 400includes a head opening 412 at the head end of the bag 400. A baffledbag portion 422 is integral to the outer layer 402 of the bag 400 at thehead end of the bag 400 and is positioned to selectively cover the headopening 412. The baffled portion 422 may include extended sections 422a, 422 b that extend further to the foot end of the bag. The baffledportion 422 of the bag overlaps with the lower edge 413 of the headopening 412 and may be fastened to the outer layer 402 of the bag at theoverlap using the extended sections 422 a, 422 b (e.g., with a snap orbutton). Sections 404 a, 404 b, 404 c of the overlap remain unfastenedbut baffled portion 422 provides a baffle to limit the ingress or egressof air at those unfastened sections 404 a, 404 b, 404 c. The user mayselectively move the baffled portion 422 relative to the lower edge 413of the head opening to provide a face opening at one (or more) of theunfastened sections 404 a, 404 b, 404 c. This enables the user tobenefit from hood insulation without the need to sleep on his or herback.

Another exemplary sleeping bag 600 according to an aspect of theinvention is illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6B. In this embodiment, the bag 600includes a baffled foot opening 624 placed through the bag's outer layer602 such that a user can place a foot or leg outside the bag to helpregulate temperature. A selectively positionable baffle 622 allows theuser to cover the opening 624 when it is not in use. The opening 624 inthis embodiment is placed on the bottom of the bag 600 but may be placedon the top or side of the bag 600. The baffle 622 in this embodiment ispositioned inside the bag 600 but may be placed on the outside of thebag 600. The bag 600 may include fasteners (e.g., button, snap, etc.)such that the baffle 622 may be fastened in place relative to the outerlayer 602.

FIG. 7 depicts a side view of a bag 700 with a foot opening 724 orientedroughly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bag. The bag 700includes a baffle 722 that is positionable to selectively cover theopening 724. FIG. 8 depicts a side view of a bag 800 with a liner 804a/804 b. The bag 800 includes a foot opening 824 in the bag 800 and afoot opening 828 in the liner 804 a/804 b. The liner 804 a/804 bincludes a baffle 826 implemented as an overlap of an upper linerportion 804 a and a lower liner portion 804 b. The bag 800 also includesa baffle 822 implemented as an overlap of two portions of the bag'souter layer. In the FIG. 8 embodiment, the user may elect to place hisfeet through the liner's foot opening 828 but not through the footopening 824 in the bag's outer layer. In such a configuration, the lowerliner portion 804 b provides additional insulation above the user'sfeet, which remain enclosed within the bag 800 and would serve to keepthe user's feet warmer than when his feet are positioned above the lowerliner portion 804 b. Thus, the liner foot opening 828 in conjunctionwith the outer layer foot opening 824 can be utilized to either provideeither a warmer or cooler environment for the user's feet.

While the foregoing description is directed to the preferred embodimentsof the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departingfrom the basic scope of the invention. And features described withreference to one embodiment may be combined with other embodiments, evenif not explicitly stated above, without departing from the scope of theinvention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims whichfollow.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A sleeping bag comprising: (a) an outerlayer having a top portion, a bottom portion, two side portions, a headportion, and a foot portion, wherein the outer layer is shaped to definea chamber bounded by the top portion, bottom portion, side portions, andfoot portion; and (b) an intermediate layer disposed in the chamber ofthe outer layer between the top portion and bottom portion of the outerlayer and fastened to a surface of the outer layer such that theintermediate layer subdivides the chamber of the outer layer.
 2. Thesleeping bag of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of strapsattached to the bottom portion of the outer layer outside the chamber ofthe outer layer.
 3. The sleeping bag of claim 2 wherein at least two ofthe plurality of straps are oriented to cross each other.
 4. Thesleeping bag of claim 1 further comprising: (a) at least two outer-layerbaffles attached to the outer layer; and (b) an intermediate-layerbaffle attached to the intermediate layer; (c) wherein the head portionof the outer layer comprises a hood having at least two face openings;(d) wherein the intermediate layer includes a hood having at least oneface opening that corresponds to one of the head-portion-hood's faceopenings; (e) wherein the outer-layer baffles are configured toselectively cover the head-portion-hood's face openings; and (f) whereinthe intermediate-layer baffle is configured to selectively cover atleast one face opening of the intermediate-layer hood.
 5. The sleepingbag of claim 1 wherein the head portion of the outer layer includes ahead opening and a hood configured to selectively overlap the headopening.
 6. The sleeping bag of claim 1 further comprising: (a) a firstfoot opening in the outer layer; (b) a second foot opening in theintermediate layer; (c) a first foot-opening baffle attached to theouter layer, wherein the first foot-opening baffle is configured toselectively cover the first foot opening; and (d) a second foot-openingbaffle attached to the intermediate layer, wherein the secondfoot-opening baffle is configured to selectively cover the second footopening.